March 31, 2017

Gray secession goes to Augusta for state hearing and returns by Stephen Signor

In
a hearing with the Town of Gray Council and Gray residents on March 21, Jennifer White, chairperson and spokesperson for the
Gray Secession Committee provided a description of the problems that have led
to the secession effort. Items discussed included: Problems faced on both sides
of the issues, potential solutions other than the secession and the potential
impact the secession might have on the designated territory and the
municipality.

The Town of Gray’s attorney and newly elected moderator, William
Dale, was sworn in as a requirement by state statute to oversee the proceedings,
to hear reasons for the secession and address things that can be done short of
secession.

In review: On January 27, 2016 five registered voters formed
this committee to commence procedures. After several delays (caused by
registered voters not reflected by updated census information and a national
election that limited the amount of attention) in January 2017, over 51 percent
of the 302 registered voters signed the petition. On the 26th of the
same month all signatures had been verified.

White stated that, “In a 2010 census a geographical separation
exists that has led to a real identity crisis for residents in the secession
territory. Our area is known to locals as Graymond. While this may be a joke to
some, it is taken seriously by those who live there. As White pointed out,
“Mailing addresses have always been Raymond, fire and rescue services are provided
by Raymond and even a GPS device indicates a Raymond address”. These were just a few of the examples presented
to council members.

Hard pressed to resolve these and other issues and figure out
any feasible solutions pertaining to the geographical area, statues require
that possible solutions be discussed including secession. To this end, White
encouraged feedback. “We welcome any constructive citizen and municipal dialog
that can present realistic solutions to this unique issue.” At the same time
she also pointed out that, “The Legislature finds that the citizens of the State,
in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article 1, Section 2, have an
unalienable and indefeasible right to institute government and to alter, reform
or totally change the same, when their safety and happiness require it.”

One of the major factors that prompted secession was health and
safety and came in the form of transportation, specifically - school buses.
“Elementary school children have to spend roughly two and one quarter hours on
abus, round-trip daily, thus creating
unhealthy conditions,” White stated to the Council.Sighting examples of both physical and mental
outcomes, White continued, “This leads to aggressive behavior, social
interactions, insufficient adult supervision and less time to spend on
homework, sports and family time.”

To reinforce her stand, White pointed out that the MSAD 15 Board
of Directors adopted a policy under the title, Student Transportation Services,
which states that bus routes should not result in students spending more than
one hour on the bus either to or from school, barring unforeseen traffic or
weather conditions. “Many times this time frame has been exceeded because of
our geographical location.”

As council members listened, proponents as well as opponents
voiced their opinions with the support of documentation.

In what would be her
closing statement of this meeting White said, “The secession board feels that
most of the opposing argument and evidence was subjective. The councilman who
presented names of town government volunteers, failed to mention that some of
them were retired, therefore having much time on their hands. The town council
and attendees failed to come up with any solutions to the problems. The town
council failed to look at our problems as real issues; once again. They showed
more concern about budgets and money spent on the town on this and failed to
bring to the table a level of empathy for the issues the residents in the
secession area are facing. No viable solutions were offered.”

Since then a state hearing on LD 619 and Mt. Hunger Shore LD 618
was done simultaneously and lasted under three hours. There will be a work
session next week on the bill and the legislative committee will deliberate and
decide then whether to put it through to vote before the House and Senate.

“This is a citizens' initiative but it is imperative that we
have legal counsel and representation to get through some of these steps. Ann
Robinson from Pierce Atwood was present today and we need her continued help
for the upcoming work session and hopefully the upcoming vote of the House and
Senate. If you haven't yet had an opportunity to contribute toward legal
expenses, this would be a critical time to do that,” concluded White.